The nonprofit group JFL Media, which publishes several niche Jewish magazines and Web sites, is maging significant cuts to one of its flagship periodicals, the organization’s CEO told the Fundermentalist Friday.
JFL is ceasing the print edition of Babaganewz, a Jewish publication and learning supplement for school children. The magazine, which was published eight times a year and has received several awards from the American Jewish Press Association for its work, will go to an online-only format, publisher Amir Cohen said Friday.
As part of the move, JFL cut nine members of Babaganewz’s 21-member staff, a step Cohen said was extremely difficult for him on a personal level.
Cohen said that the move was not strictly financial and that JFL was looking to capitalize on the Web-based format. But, the economy definitely played into the decision. JFL, which also publishes the Jewish teen mag JVibeM and the intellectual journal Sh’ma, has cut its budget in half over the past year, he said.
The other publications would continue as they are, he said.
